In an effort to protect the health and safety of residents and guests, County Manager, Mike Mullin, has issued Executive Order 15 prohibiting professional fireworks in Nassau County. This is being done to reduce the spread of COVID-19 as firework displays increase and encourage public gatherings. This does not apply to the use of personal fireworks. See the official Executive Order below. For more information, visit www.NassauCountyFL.com.
0 Comments
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) today suspended the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at all bars throughout the state. The suspension of alcohol sales directed by DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09 is effective immediately. DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears said, “Based on recent increases in COVID-19 cases and non-compliance with previous orders, DBPR has taken action to suspend on-premises alcohol sales at bars. DBPR believes this is a necessary step to take to protect public health as we continue working in partnership with industry and health officials to combat COVID-19.” As filed on June 26, 2020, DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09 suspends the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises for all vendors licensed for such sale who derive more than 50 percent of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages. Notwithstanding this suspension of sales for on-premises consumption, these vendors may continue to sell alcoholic beverages in sealed containers for consumption off the premises in accordance with Executive Order 20-71, Sections 1 and 2. Licensed restaurants also may continue to operate for on-premises consumption of food and beverages at tables pursuant to the restrictions in Executive Order 20-139, so long as these vendors derive 50 percent or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. Click HERE to view DBPR Emergency Order 2020-09 or see below. For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com/emergency. 1. City officials and staff support the enhanced public education efforts promoted by the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners and the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in our community.
2. Workers in and visitors to local businesses (to include private, public, and non-profit facilities) are strongly encouraged to wear masks and appropriately distance from others, especially when indoors. Other Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations should also be rigorously followed: wash hands, use hand sanitizer, and avoid large groups. 3. City staff will provide support as needed to assist with the education and enforcement effort within the city limits. 4. I encourage everyone to monitor their own health and adhere to the CDC guidelines to avoid the re-implementation of stricter public health measures. 5. Thank you for your cooperation. Due to the recent increases to COVID-19 cases, Nassau County is strongly encouraging use of masks in public places. Effective Friday, June 26, 2020, we are requesting that ALL businesses implement measures to protect the health and safety of the public. This includes use of masks by both employees and patrons, ensuring social distancing of customers, and maintaining an occupancy of 50% or less.
The County is coordinating this voluntary implementation with Nassau County Emergency Management, the City of Fernandina Beach and the Chamber of Commerce. Between tomorrow and next Wednesday, July 1st, Nassau County Code Enforcement will begin visiting businesses to see if these recommendations are being followed. Should it be determined that businesses are not voluntarily implementing these measures, the County will consider issuing an Executive Order making these safety measures mandatory and subjecting business owners to a citation. The Chamber of Commerce and Nassau County Emergency Management are working on a system to distribute masks to businesses needing assistance in supplying them to employees and patrons. Additional information on this will follow. Meridian Waste, an integrated, non-hazardous solid waste services company, has been voted the Nassau County Record’s Best Trash Company 2020.
“We have a hardworking team and couldn’t be happier to be recognized as the Best Trash Company in Nassau County,” said Meridian Waste Florida District Manager Dave Shepler. “We do our best daily to keep the environment clean and green and play a large role in ensuring public health and safety. Thanks to the Nassau County Record readers for recognizing our contributions to the Nassau community in which we serve.” Meridian Waste Florida brings together a team of experts who have been in the environmental services industry between 20-30 years. The full Meridian Waste Florida team is 25 employees lead by:
Meridian Waste Florida provides municipal and open-subscription residential solid waste collection, commercial solid waste collection, recycling, yard waste, bulk waste, and roll-off container rental services. Currently, the Company serves Nassau County and surrounding areas including Yulee, Hilliard, Callahan, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, and Duval and St. Johns Counties (commercial only). For more information on available services, please visit https://www.meridianwaste.com/find-a-facility/. The Company will be helping out with the Nassau County Household Hazardous Waste Collection and Food Drive event being held in Yulee on August 15, 2020. ~Advises wearing masks in public, encourages elderly and vulnerable populations to limit interactions outside of the home, and urges all individuals to refrain from participating in gatherings of more than 50 people~
The Florida Department of Health (Department) issued an additional Public Health Advisory in response to COVID-19, providing recommendations to protect Floridians and visitors from this virus. This advisory is in addition to steps that the Department has taken to increase mitigation measures, including the purchase of 20 million cloth masks, which are actively being distributed statewide. Today, Governor DeSantis also directed the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation to increase inspections to ensure that businesses are adhering to applicable Phase 1 and Phase 2 guidance. The Public Health Advisory provides the following recommendations:
This is a reinforcement of the previously issued advisory as well as direction that has been provided in the task force report for a Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery. Currently, 64 counties are in Phase 2, which dictates: Restaurants, bars and other vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, excluding nightclubs:
Phase 2 continued emphasis on preventative measures outlined by the CDC and OSHA:
The three counties with the highest number of cases (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties) are still in Phase 1, which dictates: Restaurants and food establishments:
About the Florida Department of Health The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the County temporarily closed Nassau County beaches due to concerns related to spread of the virus. On May 1, 2020, the beaches were reopened for most normal activities, with the exception of beach driving and camping. On May 14, 2020, the County issued Executive Order No. 7 to reintroduce vehicles to County beaches to allow for greater utilization of beach areas. Beach driving has been limited to Nassau County residents with a valid drivers license or State ID with a Nassau County address. The restriction is based upon limited driving and parking areas on the beach.
There are many individuals who own property in Nassau County but reside elsewhere. These individuals have not been able to drive onto the beach due to their identification not reflecting a Nassau County address. The County Manager and Tax Collector have been working together to create a property owner card to resolve this issue. Beginning Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the Tax Collector’s Office located at 86130 License Road in Fernandina Beach, will begin issuing these cards BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. To schedule an appointment, please call (904) 491-7400. Each property owner will need to download and complete an affidavit outlining each licensed driver over the age of 16 that will require a card to drive on the beach. The affidavit will be provided to the Tax Collector’s Office during your scheduled appointment. The affidavit can also be located on the County’s website at: https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/752/Beach-Permit. ![]() If you drove south on Estrada Street in Old Town in the 1990’s you would have been stopped by an ugly old fence that stretched across Estrada Street and totally fenced off the paper mill land. For years former resident Joan Altman had insisted that the closed street was a city street and that the then mill had no right to close it. The mill disputed that saying it was their property. New residents took up the challenge of reopening the street and were excited that the General Manager of the new mill, RockTenn, agreed with them. The gate was removed in 2014 and moreover, he offered additional land on each side of the street so that the area could become a pocket park. He was intrigued by the history of that area, called South Point on old maps. Then the mill changed ownership again. Hats off to WestRock and their Public Relations Manager Eric Schmidt. They have been generous in working with residents to create a pleasant place for visitors to South Point in Old Town, and have paid for two benches and two informational signs. Thanks to the city for installing the signs so that visitors can read about the old Boardwalk, called Seton Bridge, built in 1870 with $600 raised by the women of Old Town who needed a fast route across the marsh to visit friends in new Fernandina. They can also learn about the Pogy delivered by barge from the Pogy plants across Egan’s Creek to the warehouse at South Point and then onto boxcars at the rail spur. Thanks to the two most recent mills and city staff Historic Old Town is made more ‘whole’ and reveals more of her amazing history. PPP LoansThe Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury, will promptly issue rules and guidance, a modified borrower application form, and a modified loan forgiveness application implementing these legislative amendments to the PPP. These modifications will implement the following important changes: Extend the covered period for loan forgiveness from eight weeks after the date of loan disbursement to 24 weeks after the date of loan disbursement, providing substantially greater flexibility for borrowers to qualify for loan forgiveness. Borrowers who have already received PPP loans retain the option to use an eight-week covered period.
EIDL Portal is OpenThe Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Program Reopened to All Eligible Small Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic.
SBA’s COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance
In 2018, the Board of County Commissioners expressed a desire to establish a conservation land acquisition and management program. The Board subsequently entered into an agreement with the Trust for Public Land to conduct a feasibility analysis to consider funding options for the program. The results of the feasibility study were presented to the Board in August 2019. At a Workshop held on October 16, 2019, the Board approved a Resolution to place a referendum on the ballot of the 2020 Election for the Electors to grant the County the ability to issue up to $30 million in general obligation bonds to implement the program. Due to the impact COVID-19 has had on families and businesses and the challenges residents have faced, the Board approved a Resolution on Wednesday, June 18, 2020, to remove the referendum from the 2020 Ballot. The Board will proceed with creation of the conservation land acquisition and management program, with the intent of adding the referendum to the 2022 Ballot. ********************************************************************************** If you have any questions, please contact the County Manager’s Office at (904) 530-6010. |
Nassau County Chamber of Commerce BlogChamber Member Updates, Events and News Archives
January 2023
Categories
All
|